Ridiculous power supplies (was: Re: lots of panics in uPort V...)

[Michael J. Young]

In article <1063 at maynard.BSW.COM> campbell at maynard.UUCP (Larry Campbell) writes:
>...  By the time I discovered the source of the problem, the fuse
>box was arcing internally so much that it was quite warm to the touch.
>(It's a miracle the house didn't burn down.)

...

>Once a transformer down the street melted, and for about five seconds
>the 110-volt outlet delivered 220 volts.  All the lights in the house
>got real bright, the Rainbow fan got louder, then the power went out.

...

>One last anecdote.  Another transformer melted down or blew up or something.
>For several hours, our line voltage dropped to 75 volts (I measured).
>Lights were dim;  my stereo wouldn't work.  The Rainbow kept right on
>running.

Where did you live?  I want to know so I'll be sure never to buy a house
in that neighborhood.  If my utility service was that unreliable (and
dangerous) I wouldn't even bother to pack.  I'd leave with my trusty
Rainbow and the shirt off my back, then call the nearest realtor.

>Moral:  it is possible to build a decent computer power supply;  it just
>seems that the clone companies don't bother.

Moral #2: Make sure your insurance premiums are paid.
-- 
Mike Young - Software Development Technologies, Inc., Sudbury MA 01776
UUCP     : {decvax,harvard,linus,mit-eddie}!necntc!necis!mrst!sdti!mjy
Internet : mjy%sdti.uucp at harvard.harvard.edu      Tel: +1 617 443 5779